This topic is about the surprising discovery that a one-piece ostomy pouch can be drained and resealed, rather than being replaced every time it fills up. This realization came after many years and a lot of unnecessary expense. The discussion also touches on some challenging experiences in the hospital, including issues with medication and post-surgery pain.

Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. If you find that medications like morphine or codeine are not effective for you, or if they cause adverse reactions, make sure to have these noted as "allergies" in your medical records. This way, healthcare providers can offer alternative pain relief options.

2. When being discharged from the hospital, ensure that you receive proper instructions on how to manage your ostomy pouch. Learning how to drain a one-piece pouch can prevent skin irritation and help avoid the high costs associated with frequent full pouch changes.